Behind a paywall so I won't post the entire story, but here are the Marshall tidbits:
theathletic.com
1. Appalachian State (conference champion)
The Mountaineers are loaded at running back with two potential 1,000-yard rushers in Nate Noel and Camerun Peoples behind an experienced offensive line, and quarterback Chase Brice returns after passing for 3,337 yards. There are a few holes to fill at receiver and on defense. Trips to Coastal Carolina and Marshall in early November will likely decide the division.
2. Coastal Carolina
Head coach Jamey Chadwell, quarterback Grayson McCall and defensive end Josaiah Stewart are back, but the Chanticleers will break in new starters all over the offense and defense. Chadwell conceded at media day that this could be a step back, but McCall will always give them a chance. They play Marshall (Oct. 29) and App State (Nov. 3) within a week of each other.
3. Marshall
The Thundering Herd have one of the best young running backs in the country in Rasheen Ali, who rushed for 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, and the defense could be one of the best in the Sun Belt. Four of six losses last year came by one possession, so this could be a team ready to make a big jump in head coach Charles Huff’s second season. Texas Tech quarterback transfer Henry Colombi and the offensive line are the biggest questions.
4. Georgia State
As mentioned above, Georgia State deserves more respect. This should be one of the top rushing teams in the league again, led by running backs Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams and quarterback Darren Grainger, and eight offensive starters are back. But the schedule includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Coastal Carolina and Army all within the first five weeks.
5. Old Dominion
The Monarchs won their final five regular-season games last year to earn a bowl bid, an enormous step forward in Ricky Rahne’s first season after ODU didn’t play in 2020 when he took over. The offense brings back a lot of experience, including quarterback Hayden Wolff and tight end Zack Kuntz. Nonconference games against Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Virginia and Liberty make for a tough slate. Getting back to a bowl would be a big accomplishment.
6. James Madison
JMU was one of the most consistent winners at the FCS level, but this was always going to be a transition year even before the move up to the FBS. There’s a quarterback battle, and the team’s best receiver and defensive player transferred to Power 5 programs. There are reasons to be bullish about JMU’s FBS future, but the first season will be an adjustment. It’s also notable that JMU will play only 11 games, with a nonconference slate of Middle Tennessee, Norfolk State and Louisville.
7. Georgia Southern
Despite taking over a team that ran a triple-option offense, new head coach Clay Helton has raved about the wide receivers he inherited. He also has a veteran quarterback in Buffalo transfer Kyle Vantrease. People around the program are excited about the job Helton has done building up program infrastructure, but a difficult schedule makes for a tough Year 1.
Sun Belt predictions: App State leads familiar favorites, but how will newcomers fare?
Marshall, ODU, Southern Miss and JMU join the Sun Belt, but Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Louisiana are familiar favorites.
theathletic.com
Biggest storyline: Who comes out of the loaded East division?
The Sun Belt East is arguably the toughest division in the Group of 5, with Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Marshall, James Madison, Old Dominion and Georgia Southern all together. Coaches at media days compared it to the SEC West. The Sun Belt’s divisions are uneven, but the league plans to stick with them. The winner of the East is likely to be favored to win the conference.Top 3 conference games
- Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina (Nov. 3)
- Troy at Louisiana (Nov. 5)
- Appalachian State at Marshall (Nov. 12)
Projected standings
East Division1. Appalachian State (conference champion)
The Mountaineers are loaded at running back with two potential 1,000-yard rushers in Nate Noel and Camerun Peoples behind an experienced offensive line, and quarterback Chase Brice returns after passing for 3,337 yards. There are a few holes to fill at receiver and on defense. Trips to Coastal Carolina and Marshall in early November will likely decide the division.
2. Coastal Carolina
Head coach Jamey Chadwell, quarterback Grayson McCall and defensive end Josaiah Stewart are back, but the Chanticleers will break in new starters all over the offense and defense. Chadwell conceded at media day that this could be a step back, but McCall will always give them a chance. They play Marshall (Oct. 29) and App State (Nov. 3) within a week of each other.
3. Marshall
The Thundering Herd have one of the best young running backs in the country in Rasheen Ali, who rushed for 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, and the defense could be one of the best in the Sun Belt. Four of six losses last year came by one possession, so this could be a team ready to make a big jump in head coach Charles Huff’s second season. Texas Tech quarterback transfer Henry Colombi and the offensive line are the biggest questions.
4. Georgia State
As mentioned above, Georgia State deserves more respect. This should be one of the top rushing teams in the league again, led by running backs Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams and quarterback Darren Grainger, and eight offensive starters are back. But the schedule includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Coastal Carolina and Army all within the first five weeks.
5. Old Dominion
The Monarchs won their final five regular-season games last year to earn a bowl bid, an enormous step forward in Ricky Rahne’s first season after ODU didn’t play in 2020 when he took over. The offense brings back a lot of experience, including quarterback Hayden Wolff and tight end Zack Kuntz. Nonconference games against Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Virginia and Liberty make for a tough slate. Getting back to a bowl would be a big accomplishment.
6. James Madison
JMU was one of the most consistent winners at the FCS level, but this was always going to be a transition year even before the move up to the FBS. There’s a quarterback battle, and the team’s best receiver and defensive player transferred to Power 5 programs. There are reasons to be bullish about JMU’s FBS future, but the first season will be an adjustment. It’s also notable that JMU will play only 11 games, with a nonconference slate of Middle Tennessee, Norfolk State and Louisville.
7. Georgia Southern
Despite taking over a team that ran a triple-option offense, new head coach Clay Helton has raved about the wide receivers he inherited. He also has a veteran quarterback in Buffalo transfer Kyle Vantrease. People around the program are excited about the job Helton has done building up program infrastructure, but a difficult schedule makes for a tough Year 1.
